Aftermath

Proposed legislation

In January 2010 Michigan lawmakers, mostly Republicans according to reports, said they were planning on changing the approved measure because it requires "clarification to ensure there's enough oversight of the research and marijuana use the ballot measures allowed." Lawmakers supporting the changes argue that the legislation is not an attempt to end the supply of marijuana to current patients but instead to implement a process to inspect marijuana growers and verify they're staying within their 12-plant limit. Medical marijuana supporters, however, fear that the new legislation could undermine the goal of the voter-approved Proposal 1.[1]

In late August 2010Rep. Rick Jones introduced House Bill 6394. The bill would prohibit the organization of a "marijuana club" or "marijuana bar." The bill, however, is one of seven bills pending in the Michigan Legislature to create new rules regarding medical marijuana.[2]

In late June 2011Rep. John Walsh, Attorney General Bill Schuette and other lawmakers re-introduced the need for reform. Walsh argues that confusion about the law has cost taxpayers money. The law, he said, is unevenly enforced by prosecutors, law enforcement and judges. Walsh and House Republicans announced that they plan to further discuss the matter in Fall 2011 and/or 2012. Proposed changes include: prohibiting patient-to-patient transaction; require plants to be enclosed, locked facilities; allow access of medical marijuana patient registries to law enforcement; clarify zoning guidelines.[3]

6 month moratorium

During Summer 2010, some local governments including the Battle Creek City Commission approved a six-month moratorium on new medical marijuana operations while officials considered future regulations. According to reports in December 2010, city officials considered zoning and licensing laws.[4]

The city of Protage considered a 6 month moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries. The council held a first reading on December 21, 2010 and was scheduled to hold a second hearing on the issue on January 11, 2011.[5]

Michigan Supreme Court hearing

In June 2011 the Michigan Supreme Court agreed to hear two marijuana related cases. According to reports, this marks the first time that the state's high court will weigh in on the 2008 voter-approved ballot measure. Specifically, the cases involve people who have been charged with crimes for their medicinal use of marijuana. One case originated in Shiawassee County, while the other was in Oakland County. Originally the drug charges were dismissed by trial judges, however, the charges were restored when the cases were heard by the Michigan Court of Appeals.[6]

Storage of marijuana plants

On June 28, 2011Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette issued an opinion regarding the storage of marijuana plants in an effort to further clarify the 2008 approved measure. According to reports, the marijuana law allows for patients to grow up to 12 plants and caregivers with permits to grow up to 12 for each of their five patients. However, on June 28, Schuette said plants for each of caregivers patients must be stored in separate locked storage facilities. The opinion was effective June 28 and according to the attorney general, up to local prosecutors to enforce.[3]

Polling Results

A Detroit Free Press/Local 4 poll taken from Oct. 28 to Oct. 31, 2008, showed 61% of respondents approving the measure, with 30% opposed. The poll, conducted by Selzer & Co. Inc. of Des Moines, Iowa, had a sample of 616 people and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4%.[19]

An Oct. 26-28 poll of 600 likely voters by EPIC-MRA for The Detroit News and TV stations WXYZ, WILX, WOOD and WJRT found 57% favoring the medical marijuana proposal and 36% opposed. That poll also had a margin of error of plus or minus 4%.[19]

An early October 2008 poll of likely Michigan voters condicted by Denno Noor Research, The Rossman Group, and Michigan Information and Research Service claimed "58 percent of Michigan's voters favor the ballot initiative while 33 percent do not."[16] The poll has a margin of ewrror of plus or minus four percentage points.[20]

A Detroit Free Press-Local 4 Michigan Poll shows 66% of respondents in favor of Proposal 2, with 25% opposed and 9% undecided. The poll, conducted Sept. 22-24, 2008, was based on telephone interviews with 602 likely voters and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.[21]

A poll by Marketing Resource Group in March 2008 showed 67% of voters saying they supported medical marijuana and 62% voicing approval for this particular initiative. Voters between 34 and 54 showed 75% support for medical marijuana, with 63% of retirees voicing support. Younger voters (18 to 34) were the least supportive, with 61% backing the measure.

Campaign funding

The biggest donor to the campaign, as of campaign finance reports filed for the first quarter of 2008, is the Marijuana Policy Project, which had contributed $1,240,460.07 at that time.[22]

Below is information on the amount of funds raised for and against Proposal 1:[23]